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Switch Access

Switches
Switches may provide a child with limited hand function a way to
actively participate in a variety of activities. Finding the right type
of switch and switch location can sometimes be challenging. Here are
some things to consider:

Client/Student Abilities and Needs
When exploring switch access consider some of these factors:
1. Can the client/student use movement that…

is voluntary both on and off - often the latter is the more difficult

is repeatable

is easy/energy efficient, and

reduces or eliminates minimal or accidental hits

2. Does the client/student require this switch mounted or angled?

3. Does the client/student understand cause and effect?

4. Is the client/student motivated to use the switch? What are they able to do with their switch?

The
equipment below is from the TVCC Equipment Pool and shows just a few of
the possible examples of low-tech augmentative communication equipment.
Talk with your TVCC Occupational Therapist or Speech Language
Pathologist about your interest in trying out assistive technology
equipment.

Jelly Bean Switch

Lollipop Switch

Shaped Switch

(Dog, Frog, Pig)

Switch Tester** Used to ensure switches are in working order

Treadle Switch

Pal Pad Switch

Switch Toys
These toys can be used to allow children with limited hand function to play with a toy independently. Consult your Occupational Therapist to determine which type of switch and which location would work best (see above information on switches). Many of these toys move and make noise once a switch is activated.

Horse

Dog

Cow

Dinosaur

Bunny

Giraffe

Switch Latch and Timer: By attaching a switch to this product, a
client can hit his/her switch once and turn on a switch activated toy for a
specified amount of time or until they hit their switch again to turn it off.

Powerlink: With this product, clients/students can use their switch to turn
on/off different types of electronic devices such as a mixer, tape recorder or
other simple electronic device.

See these links for great ideas on how kids can use switches
to participate in a variety of activities:

About Me

Gill Steckle is a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)and Kelli Vessoyan is an Occupational Therapist (OT). They both work at Thames Valley Children's Centre (TVCC) in the Augmentative Communication Service (ACS) in London, ON Canada. Kristel Pallant was an OT in ACS who also made significant contributions to the development and evolution of the newsletter.